LIft your heads; salvation is promised

July 23, 2011

I am tired. I'm tired physically and mentally. And I am sure it is nothing compared to how many, if not all, of you are feeling after these past weeks of flooding.

I may be tired physically, as I helped move some of you, but that was for only a portion of the moving that many of you have had to do and the physical tiredness you have experienced; which was probably increased by the inability to sleep for physical rest due to the disaster that you knew was to come.

Also, I am tired mentally with the anguish of not having been able to help each and everyone of you. But I am sure that each of you are also mentally tired with what was to come and what is still to come; as you waited for the river to subside so that you could bring your homes and lives back to what they were before; if that is even possible.

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Rev. Arie Bertsch

Then there may be some of you who are not physically and mentally tired, but you feel guilty that you could not help or that you were spared from the flooding. Do not feel guilty about it, there will be plenty of opportunities to help those who are physically and mentally tired to the best of your ability with words and deeds.

Now there is another type of tiredness I want to mention: I haven't, and I hope none of you have, become spiritually tired. In times like this we have our God who has promised to be with us through all of this earthly life, which often is physically and mentally tiring; but for some it may be a challenge to their faith.

I have heard some say, "I think that God is trying to tell us something." Or, "I think, God is punishing me in one stroke for all my sins." First of all, God is always trying to tell us something. He is always trying to tell us that he wishes for all to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth of salvation from this life to eternal life without any pain, tears, or sorrows through Jesus Christ. But God isn't or doesn't only work through natural disasters or manmade disasters. He has come to us with his Word telling us that these disasters have come and will come until the end of time. But when we see these things coming he wants us to lift up our heads and know that salvation is near.

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Reflections, a mini-sermon written by Minot and area clergy, will appear each Saturday in The Minot Daily News. Clergy interested in writing a mini-sermon should contact Religion Editor Loretta Johnson at 857-1952 or Debbie Sandvold at 857-1950. The toll-free number is 1-800-735-3229.

In Isaiah 43:1-3, God's inspired word says, "This is what the Lord says." "when" not "if" these things come upon you. "When" you pass through the waters and when you pass through the rivers, I will be with you, they will not sweep over you." Even though it may be physically and mentally tiring at times and seem overwhelming, God calls us with his Word to remember that he has created you, he has formed you, he knows you by name, you are his people and you will not lose your salvation, through Jesus Christ our Lord, our Redeemer, and our Savior.

The Rev. Arie Bertsch is pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Minot.